Abuja, Nigeria – The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has issued a firm warning to President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, instructing them to respect the rights of Nigerians planning to join the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Monday, October 20.
In its statement issued on Sunday, the OYC emphasised that any harassment or assault of peaceful demonstrators would constitute a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The protest is organised to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been detained since June 2021 despite several court orders for his release.
Addressing journalists, OYC National President Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka reminded the security chiefs that none of them stands above the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and urged them to familiarise themselves with Chapter IV of the Constitution which outlines fundamental human rights.
He further described the planned protest as a legitimate and constitutional action by civil society groups and pro-democracy advocates. “No judicial pronouncement anywhere in the world can prohibit citizens … from forming assemblies or gatherings for peaceful protests,” he asserted.
The OYC also called on the IGP to “reclaim his lost service credibility” by ensuring the safety of peaceful demonstrators and urged him to assign necessary security contingents to safeguard Nigerians participating in the event.
The organisation concluded by warning that the actions of the government and its security agencies on October 20 will signal whether Nigeria is a country that respects human rights or tolerates their violation.